Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THY BIRTHDAY by CLAUDE A. BARR

First Line: REMEMBEREST THE LILIES-OF-THE-VALLEY, FAIR MY LOVE
Last Line: PRAISE TO THEE, O FAITHFUL KEEPER OF THE FIRE, FAIR MY LOVE.
Subject(s): BIRTHDAYS; FLOWERS; LOVE;

Rememberest the lilies-of-the-valley, fair My Love,
I sent thee when thy years were seventeen, or not above;
Dainty, pearly, dewdrop rows
Swung on airy emerald bows;
Rememberest the lilies-of-the-valley, fair, My Love?

I offer now the dear, spring-telling pasque flower of the snow;
May it prove thy day's enchantment truly, for I know
These buds, warm robed in silver fur,
These lavender satin beauties, bear
E'en more of lover's wooing than the lilies long ago.

The days are swifter now but sweeter far, O fair My Love;
There's solace in their passing to the heights we view above.
For as life's trail grows the steeper
Love's bright fire burns richer, deeper;
Praise to thee, O faithful Keeper of the Fire, fair My Love.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net